Plasterless mounting dental articulator

Abstract

A dental articulator for mounting and adjusting paired dental casts without the use of mounting plaster by means of contoured locating stops engaging suitable cavities formed by cutters in the base of the casts; the articulator being adapted for the rapid removal of, and the remounting of the casts to their originally adjusted positions in the articulator.

We claim: 
     
       1. A dental articulator for releasably mounting and adjusting matched upper and lower dental casts, which were poured in impressions taken in the oral cavity of a patient for use in the fabrication of a dental prosthesis, without the use of mounting plaster, said articulator comprising: (a) an articulator body having a base element, at least one vertical element, and a normally horizontal leaf element pivotally supported at the upper end of said vertical element to be superimposed with said base element;   (b) a lower dental cast mounting jig supported by the base element of said articulator body, said lower mounting jig having a plane upper surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, and further having a plurality of upwardly extending locating stops for engaging a like number of cavities in said lower dental cast, at least one of said locating stops being adjustable to releasably hold said lower dental cast in position on the plane upper surface on said lower mounting jig; and,   (c) an upper dental cast mounting jig supported by the leaf element of said articulator body, said upper mounting jig having a plane lower surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, and having a plurality of downwardly extending locating stops for engaging a like number of cavities in said upper dental cast, at least one of said locating stops being adjustable to releasably hold said upper dental cast in position on the plane surface of said upper mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said mounted upper dental cast in centric anatomical relationship with said lower mounted dental cast.   
     
     
       2. A dental articulator for releasably mounting and adjusting matched upper and lower dental casts, which were poured in impressions taken in the oral cavity of a patient for use in the fabrication of a dental prosthesis, without the use of mounting plaster, said articulator comprising: (a) an articulator body having a base element, at least one vertical element, and a normally horizontal leaf element pivotally supported at the upper end of said vertical element to be superimposed with said base element;   (b) a lower dental cast mounting jig supported by the base element of said articulator body, said lower mounting jig having a plane upper surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, a plurality of locating stops extending upwardly beyond said plane upper surface for engaging a like number of cavities in said lower dental cast and with at least one of said locating stops being adjustable to releasably hold said lower dental cast in position on the plane upper surface of said lower mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body; and,   (c) an upper dental cast mounting jig supported by the leaf element of said articulator body, said upper mounting jig having a plane lower surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, a plurality of locating stops extending downwardly beyond said plane lower surface for engaging a like number of cavities in said upper dental cast and with at least one of said locating stops being adjustable to releasably hold said upper dental cast in position on the plane surface of said upper mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said mounted upper dental cast in centric anatomical relationship with said mounted lower dental cast.   
     
     
       3. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 2 in which the adjusting means for said lower mounting jig will adjust the rotational position of said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body. 
     
     
       4. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 2 in which the adjusting means for said lower mounting jig will adjust the rotational position and the vertical position of said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body. 
     
     
       5. A dental articulator for releasably mounting and adjusting matched upper and lower dental casts, which were poured in impressions taken in the oral cavity of a patient for use in the fabrication of a dental prosthesis, without the use of mounting plaster, said articulator comprising: (a) an articulator body having a base element, at least one vertical element, and a normally horizontal leaf element pivotally supported at the upper end of said vertical element to be superimposed with said base element;   (b) a lower dental cast mounting jig supported by the base element of said articulator body, said lower mounting jig having a plane upper surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, and further having a pair of elongated locating stops extending upwardly beyond the plane upper surface to be on substantially opposing sides of said lower dental cast and with each of said locating stops having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said lower dental cast, and with at least one of said locating stops being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said lower dental cast in position on the plane upper surface on said lower mounting jig; and,   (c) an upper dental cast mounting jig supported by the leaf element of said articulator body, said upper mounting jig having a plane lower surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, a pair of elongated locating stops extending downwardly below said plane lower surface to be on substantially opposing sides of said upper dental cast and with each of said locating stops having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said upper dental cast, and with at least one of said locating stops being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said upper dental cast in position on the plane lower surface on said upper mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said mounted upper dental cast in centric anatomical relationship with said mounted lower dental cast.   
     
     
       6. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 5 in which said locating stops on said lower mounting jig and said locating stops on said upper mounting jig are on common longitudinal axes parallel to the plane surfaces on said mounting jigs. 
     
     
       7. A dental articulator for releasably mounting and adjusting matched upper and lower dental casts, which were poured in impressions taken in the oral cavity of a patient for use in the fabrication of a dental prosthesis, without the use of mounting plaster, said articulator comprising: (a) an articulator body having a base element, at least one vertical element, and a normally horizontal leaf element pivotally supported at the upper end of said vertical element to be superimposed with said base element;   (b) a lower dental cast mounting jig supported by the base element of said articulator body, said lower mounting jig having a plane upper surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, a pair of elongated locating stops extending upwardly beyond the plane upper surface to be on substantially opposing sides of said lower dental cast and with each of said locating stops having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said lower dental cast, and with at least one of said locating stops being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said lower dental cast in position on the plane upper surface on said lower mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body; and,   (c) an upper dental cast mounting jig supported by the leaf element of said articulator body, said upper mounting jig having a plane lower surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, a pair of elongated locating stops extending downwardly below the plane lower surface to be on substantially opposing sides of said upper dental cast and with each of said locating stops having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said upper dental cast and with at least one of said locating stops being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said upper dental cast in position on the plane lower surface on said upper mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said upper dental cast in centric anatomical relationship with said lower dental cast.   
     
     
       8. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 7 in which said locating stops on said lower mounting jig and said locating stops on said upper mounting jig are on common longitudinal axes parallel to the plane surfaces on said mounting jigs. 
     
     
       9. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 7 in which the adjusting means for said lower mounting jig will adjust the rotational position of said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body. 
     
     
       10. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 7 in which the adjusting means for said lower mounting jig will adjust the rotational position and the vertical position of said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body. 
     
     
       11. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 5 in which the tip end on at least one of said locating stops on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end on at least one of said locating stops on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavities in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts. 
     
     
       12. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 5 in which the tip end on both of said locating stops on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end on both of said locating stops on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavities in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts. 
     
     
       13. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 7 in which the tip end on at least one of said locating stops on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end on at least one of said locating stops on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavities in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts. 
     
     
       14. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 7 in which the tip end on both of said locating stops on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end on both of said locating stops on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavities in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts. 
     
     
       15. A dental articulator for releasably mounting and adjusting matched upper and lower dental casts, which were poured in impressions taken in the oral cavity of a patient for use in the fabrication of a dental prosthesis, without the use of mounting plaster, said articulator comprising: (a) an articulator body having a base element, at least one vertical element, and a normally horizontal leaf element pivotally supported at the upper end of said vertical element to be superimposed with said base element;   (b) a lower dental cast mounting jig supported by the base element of said articulator body, said lower mounting jig having a plane upper surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, a fixed locating stop extending upwardly from the plane upper surface for engaging a cavity in the base of said lower dental cast which is substantially perpendicular to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, and an elongated locating stop extending upwardly beyond the plane upper surface to be on a longitudinal axis radiating from said fixed locating stop and positioned to be external to said lower dental cast, said elongated locating stop having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said lower dental cast and being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said lower dental cast in position on the plane upper surface on said lower mounting jig; and,   (c) an upper dental cast mounting jig supported by the leaf element of said articulator body, said upper mounting jig having a plane lower surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, a fixed locating stop extending downwardly from the plane lower surface for engaging a cavity in the base of said upper dental cast which is substantially perpendicular to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, an elongated locating stop extending downwardly beyond the plane lower surface to be on a longitudinal axis radiating from said fixed locating stop and positioned to be external to said upper dental cast, said elongated location stop having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said upper dental cast and being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said upper dental cast in position on the plane lower surface on said upper mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said upper dental cast in centric anatomical relationship with said lower dental cast.   
     
     
       16. A dental articulator for releasably mounting and adjusting matched upper and lower dental casts, which were poured in impressions taken in the oral cavity of a patient for use in the fabrication of a dental prosthesis, without the use of mounting plaster, said articulator comprising; (a) an articulator body having a base element, at least one vertical element, and a normally horizontal leaf element pivotally supported at the upper end of said vertical element to be superimposed with said base element;   (b) a lower dental cast mounting jig supported by the base element of said articulator body, said lower mounting jig having a plane upper surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, a fixed locating step extending upwardly from the plane upper surface for engaging a cavity in the base of said lower dental cast which is substantially perpendicular to the plane surface on the base of said lower dental cast, an elongated locating stop extending upwardly beyond the plane upper surface to be on a longitudinal axis radiating from said fixed locating stop and positioned to be external to said lower dental cast, said elongated locating stop having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said lower dental cast and being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said lower dental cast in position on the plane upper surface on said lower mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body; and,   (c) an upper dental cast mounting jig supported by the leaf element of said articulator body, said upper mounting jig having a plane lower surface to be proximate to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, a fixed locating stop extending downwardly from the plane lower surface for engaging a cavity in the base of said upper dental cast which is substantially perpendicular to the plane surface on the base of said upper dental cast, and an elongated locating stop extending downwardly beyond the plane lower surface to be on a longitudinal axis radiating from said fixed locating stop and positioned to be external to said upper dental cast, said elongated locating stop having an inwardly extending tip end for engaging a comparably contoured cavity in the perimeter of the base on said upper dental cast and being longitudinally adjustable to releasably hold said upper dental cast in position on the plane lower surface on said upper mounting jig, and further having adjusting means for adjusting said upper dental cast in centric anatomical relationship with said lower dental cast.   
     
     
       17. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 16 in which the adjusting means for said lower mounting jig will adjust the rotational position of said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body. 
     
     
       18. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 16 in which the adjusting means for said lower mounting jig will adjust the rotational position and the vertical position of said lower mounting jig in relationship with the base element of said articulator body. 
     
     
       19. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 15 in which the tip end of said elongated stop on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end of said elongated stop on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavity in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts. 
     
     
       20. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 16 in which the tip end of the elongated stop on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end of said elongated stop on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavity in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts. 
     
     
       21. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 15 in which the tip end of said elongated stop on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end of said elongated stop on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavity in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts, and with each of said elongated stops having biasing means for biasing the cutter into firm engagement with the cavity formed in said dental casts when the casts are in mounted position in the articulator. 
     
     
       22. A dental articulator in accordance with claim 16 in which the tip end of said elongated stop on said lower mounting jig, and the tip end of said elongated stop on said upper mounting jig is a cutter for cutting the cavity in the perimeter of the base on said dental casts, and with each of said elongated stops having biasing means for biasing the cutter into firm engagement with the cavity formed in said dental casts when the casts are in mounted position in the articulator. 
     
     
       23. A combination cutter-locating stop for attaching to a plane mounting surface on a dental articulator for releasably mounting dental casts without the use of mounting plaster, said combination cutter-locating stop comprising: (a) a body element adapted for joining to the plane mounting surface on said articulator, said body element having a longitudinal bore therethrough substantially parallel to said plane mounting surface;   (b) a cutter on the inner end of an elongated stem coaxially rotatable and longitudinally movable within the bore of said body element, said cutter being proximate to the base on said dental cast when the cast is held in mounting position on said articulator, and adapted for cutting a cavity in the perimeter of the base on said dental cast; and,   (c) spring means coacting between said body element and said cutter for biasing said cutter in the cavity cut into said dental cast to thereby releasably hold said dental cast in mounted position in said articulator.